Pretty sure Red Bull insisted he would be driving for STR in 2018. Sainz said he would be driving elsewhere. Who got what they wanted?

The way I got it: Sainz said he will never drive for STR again, RBR indicated he's only on loan. So if Ricciardo or Verstappen leave for 2019, then Sainz will be at RBR for 2019, but he's not coming back to STR.

Pretty sure Red Bull insisted he would be driving for STR in 2018. Sainz said he would be driving elsewhere. Who got what they wanted?

The way I got it: Sainz said he will never drive for STR again, RBR indicated he's only on loan. So if Ricciardo or Verstappen leave for 2019, then Sainz will be at RBR for 2019, but he's not coming back to STR.

Yeah that's the situation now. If you remember way back in the Canada press conference Sainz said he probably wouldn't be driving for STR in 2018. Red Bull came out, gave him a dressing down and reminded him he had a contract and said he would definitely be driving an STR in 2018.

Pretty sure Red Bull insisted he would be driving for STR in 2018. Sainz said he would be driving elsewhere. Who got what they wanted?

The way I got it: Sainz said he will never drive for STR again, RBR indicated he's only on loan. So if Ricciardo or Verstappen leave for 2019, then Sainz will be at RBR for 2019, but he's not coming back to STR.

https://www.autosport.com/f2/news/13246 ... r-up-in-f2Have you seen this? Not the part about Norris and Russell potentially being teammates next year but the part about Lance Stroll's father vetoing Norris at Prema? This seems bizarre to me. I don't want to get out the tin foil hat but...

Also on a totally tangential note: has there been any news on Alonso re-signing?

https://www.autosport.com/f2/news/132469/norris-and-russell-tipped-to-pair-up-in-f2Have you seen this? Not the part about Norris and Russell potentially being teammates next year but the part about Lance Stroll's father vetoing Norris at Prema? This seems bizarre to me. I don't want to get out the tin foil hat but...

Also on a totally tangential note: has there been any news on Alonso re-signing?

As for Williams, they're not in a hurry to announce the lineup even though we know Massa for sure is retiring. They're with their hands full when it comes to options, most notably Kubica, who will get another running at the post race tyre test in Abu Dhabi:https://www.gpupdate.net/en/f1-news/360826/

As for Williams, they're not in a hurry to announce the lineup even though we know Massa for sure is retiring. They're with their hands full when it comes to options, most notably Kubica, who will get another running at the post race tyre test in Abu Dhabi:https://www.gpupdate.net/en/f1-news/360826/

The speed with which they plan announce this suggests you are right. If Ericcson's position was under threat then I imagine Sauber would be waiting to see who Williams signed and pick up the best leftover.

As for Williams, they're not in a hurry to announce the lineup even though we know Massa for sure is retiring. They're with their hands full when it comes to options, most notably Kubica, who will get another running at the post race tyre test in Abu Dhabi:https://www.gpupdate.net/en/f1-news/360826/

The speed with which they plan announce this suggests you are right. If Ericcson's position was under threat then I imagine Sauber would be waiting to see who Williams signed and pick up the best leftover.

Robert Kubica has already been chosen to be the new Williams driver in 2018 to replace Felipe Massa. The news have been broken over the weekend by the French TV network Canal + and now can be confirmed by Diário Motorsport and GRANDE PRÊMIO. It is not currently known when the official announcement will be made, but at the moment it is just a formal procedure. The Polish support group is negotiating various operations to boost Kubica's return, and one of the parties involved in particular has even confirmed that the contract is already signed - without specifying, however, on what grounds.

I'm not convinced. I can't help but think that if it were official, Williams wouldn't have announced that Kubica was going to drive in the Abu Dhabi tyre test, not without confirming that he was going to race for them in 2018. Maybe that test is just to absolutely satisfy them that he's the right guy, or clear whatever lingering doubts they appear to have. But I don't feel like they're going to confirm it until after that test.

The Brazilian site is spot on and they confirmed, rather than predicted, that Kubica signed with Williams.

As a journalist myself, I stand by their info.

The reason I pointed to this thread is because it contains news about drivers who'll be racing in 2018.

I understand. This forum changed its rules and I wasn't aware for which I'm sorry. I have posted quite a few breaking news about driver changes (was only ever wrong in one when I posted about Raikkonen to Mercedes in 2012) and it was never merged with this thread.

The Brazilian site is spot on and they confirmed, rather than predicted, that Kubica signed with Williams.

As a journalist myself, I stand by their info.

The reason I pointed to this thread is because it contains news about drivers who'll be racing in 2018.

I understand. This forum changed its rules and I wasn't aware for which I'm sorry. I have posted quite a few breaking news about driver changes (was only ever wrong in one when I posted about Raikkonen to Mercedes in 2012) and it was never merged with this thread.

No sweat. Coming to the main point, Kubica returning will be such a great news. Williams also wouldn't want to look at any other option besides him.

The Brazilian site is spot on and they confirmed, rather than predicted, that Kubica signed with Williams.

As a journalist myself, I stand by their info.

The reason I pointed to this thread is because it contains news about drivers who'll be racing in 2018.

I understand. This forum changed its rules and I wasn't aware for which I'm sorry. I have posted quite a few breaking news about driver changes (was only ever wrong in one when I posted about Raikkonen to Mercedes in 2012) and it was never merged with this thread.

No sweat. Coming to the main point, Kubica returning will be such a great news. Williams also wouldn't want to look at any other option besides him.

And you know that... how, exactly? For all we know, he's struggling with long-run consistency, or struggling with his fitness levels, or there are other issues with which he has yet to convince Williams. If Williams can get Robert Kubica as he was prior to his accident then yes, I agree that they shouldn't need to look at any other option. But right now, it seems like they're hesitating to make a decision, instead feeling the need to give him further running. Perhaps that's because they have the best empty seat available and therefore are in no rush at all, but it does make me wonder a little bit if they remain unconvinced.

The Brazilian site is spot on and they confirmed, rather than predicted, that Kubica signed with Williams.

As a journalist myself, I stand by their info.

The reason I pointed to this thread is because it contains news about drivers who'll be racing in 2018.

I understand. This forum changed its rules and I wasn't aware for which I'm sorry. I have posted quite a few breaking news about driver changes (was only ever wrong in one when I posted about Raikkonen to Mercedes in 2012) and it was never merged with this thread.

No sweat. Coming to the main point, Kubica returning will be such a great news. Williams also wouldn't want to look at any other option besides him.

And you know that... how, exactly? For all we know, he's struggling with long-run consistency, or struggling with his fitness levels, or there are other issues with which he has yet to convince Williams. If Williams can get Robert Kubica as he was prior to his accident then yes, I agree that they shouldn't need to look at any other option. But right now, it seems like they're hesitating to make a decision, instead feeling the need to give him further running. Perhaps that's because they have the best empty seat available and therefore are in no rush at all, but it does make me wonder a little bit if they remain unconvinced.

I would add the Massa/Brazil thing into the equation. Hold off until that was all out of the way

The reason I pointed to this thread is because it contains news about drivers who'll be racing in 2018.

I understand. This forum changed its rules and I wasn't aware for which I'm sorry. I have posted quite a few breaking news about driver changes (was only ever wrong in one when I posted about Raikkonen to Mercedes in 2012) and it was never merged with this thread.

No sweat. Coming to the main point, Kubica returning will be such a great news. Williams also wouldn't want to look at any other option besides him.

And you know that... how, exactly? For all we know, he's struggling with long-run consistency, or struggling with his fitness levels, or there are other issues with which he has yet to convince Williams. If Williams can get Robert Kubica as he was prior to his accident then yes, I agree that they shouldn't need to look at any other option. But right now, it seems like they're hesitating to make a decision, instead feeling the need to give him further running. Perhaps that's because they have the best empty seat available and therefore are in no rush at all, but it does make me wonder a little bit if they remain unconvinced.

I would add the Massa/Brazil thing into the equation. Hold off until that was all out of the way

Maybe, and perhaps when it is made official that Kubica will be driving in the Abu Dhabi tyre test, it'll come off the back of him being confirmed for 2018. And maybe it is all just Williams taking their time because they can. But based on the information we have right now, this delay plus their need to give him further running leaves me unconvinced they're convinced about him.

Maybe, and perhaps when it is made official that Kubica will be driving in the Abu Dhabi tyre test, it'll come off the back of him being confirmed for 2018. And maybe it is all just Williams taking their time because they can. But based on the information we have right now, this delay plus their need to give him further running leaves me unconvinced they're convinced about him.

Either way it will be a gigantic leap of faith to hire a driver that hasn't raced single seaters since 2010 and give him a seat in F1.

Maybe, and perhaps when it is made official that Kubica will be driving in the Abu Dhabi tyre test, it'll come off the back of him being confirmed for 2018. And maybe it is all just Williams taking their time because they can. But based on the information we have right now, this delay plus their need to give him further running leaves me unconvinced they're convinced about him.

Either way it will be a gigantic leap of faith to hire a driver that hasn't raced single seaters since 2010 and give him a seat in F1.

I am sure the deal would have some caveats, like fitness tests, etc. Maybe they have lined up some other tests with older cars to test his ability to perform over a full GP distance.

The Brazilian site is spot on and they confirmed, rather than predicted, that Kubica signed with Williams.

As a journalist myself, I stand by their info.

The reason I pointed to this thread is because it contains news about drivers who'll be racing in 2018.

I understand. This forum changed its rules and I wasn't aware for which I'm sorry. I have posted quite a few breaking news about driver changes (was only ever wrong in one when I posted about Raikkonen to Mercedes in 2012) and it was never merged with this thread.

No sweat. Coming to the main point, Kubica returning will be such a great news. Williams also wouldn't want to look at any other option besides him.

And you know that... how, exactly? For all we know, he's struggling with long-run consistency, or struggling with his fitness levels, or there are other issues with which he has yet to convince Williams. If Williams can get Robert Kubica as he was prior to his accident then yes, I agree that they shouldn't need to look at any other option. But right now, it seems like they're hesitating to make a decision, instead feeling the need to give him further running. Perhaps that's because they have the best empty seat available and therefore are in no rush at all, but it does make me wonder a little bit if they remain unconvinced.

Apparently it was Kubica stalling on signing the contract, he's basically been offered the drive because of the sponsorship he his bringing to the team, his pride was hurting because he didn't want to be seen as a pay driver, it's something that he has criticised in the past.

Maybe, and perhaps when it is made official that Kubica will be driving in the Abu Dhabi tyre test, it'll come off the back of him being confirmed for 2018. And maybe it is all just Williams taking their time because they can. But based on the information we have right now, this delay plus their need to give him further running leaves me unconvinced they're convinced about him.

Either way it will be a gigantic leap of faith to hire a driver that hasn't raced single seaters since 2010 and give him a seat in F1.

I am sure the deal would have some caveats, like fitness tests, etc. Maybe they have lined up some other tests with older cars to test his ability to perform over a full GP distance.

No doubt and they already have done some tests in older cars. But there's also the thing of actually racing. Doing laps on your own is one thing, doing it in a pack of 19 drivers is something else. Especially when most of the racing he has done has been while alone on track (ERC/WRC2/WRC).

He was also supposed to run in LMP1 in 2017, and in an F-E event as well. Both failed to materialize.

The reason I pointed to this thread is because it contains news about drivers who'll be racing in 2018.

I understand. This forum changed its rules and I wasn't aware for which I'm sorry. I have posted quite a few breaking news about driver changes (was only ever wrong in one when I posted about Raikkonen to Mercedes in 2012) and it was never merged with this thread.

No sweat. Coming to the main point, Kubica returning will be such a great news. Williams also wouldn't want to look at any other option besides him.

And you know that... how, exactly? For all we know, he's struggling with long-run consistency, or struggling with his fitness levels, or there are other issues with which he has yet to convince Williams. If Williams can get Robert Kubica as he was prior to his accident then yes, I agree that they shouldn't need to look at any other option. But right now, it seems like they're hesitating to make a decision, instead feeling the need to give him further running. Perhaps that's because they have the best empty seat available and therefore are in no rush at all, but it does make me wonder a little bit if they remain unconvinced.

Apparently it was Kubica stalling on signing the contract, he's basically been offered the drive because of the sponsorship he his bringing to the team, his pride was hurting because he didn't want to be seen as a pay driver, it's something that he has criticised in the past.

he's been given an amazing opportunity to resurrect his F1 career. Frankly, any team looking to take on a driver with his relatively little recent racing experience is taking a massive gamble. You can't blame them for wanting to ensure they get some safety net for it

No sweat. Coming to the main point, Kubica returning will be such a great news. Williams also wouldn't want to look at any other option besides him.

And you know that... how, exactly? For all we know, he's struggling with long-run consistency, or struggling with his fitness levels, or there are other issues with which he has yet to convince Williams. If Williams can get Robert Kubica as he was prior to his accident then yes, I agree that they shouldn't need to look at any other option. But right now, it seems like they're hesitating to make a decision, instead feeling the need to give him further running. Perhaps that's because they have the best empty seat available and therefore are in no rush at all, but it does make me wonder a little bit if they remain unconvinced.

Apparently it was Kubica stalling on signing the contract, he's basically been offered the drive because of the sponsorship he his bringing to the team, his pride was hurting because he didn't want to be seen as a pay driver, it's something that he has criticised in the past.

he's been given an amazing opportunity to resurrect his F1 career. Frankly, any team looking to take on a driver with his relatively little recent racing experience is taking a massive gamble. You can't blame them for wanting to ensure they get some safety net for it

Apparently it was Kubica stalling on signing the contract, he's basically been offered the drive because of the sponsorship he his bringing to the team, his pride was hurting because he didn't want to be seen as a pay driver, it's something that he has criticised in the past.

he's been given an amazing opportunity to resurrect his F1 career. Frankly, any team looking to take on a driver with his relatively little recent racing experience is taking a massive gamble. You can't blame them for wanting to ensure they get some safety net for it

I think you have misread my post, it was Kubica that was stalling.

No I understood what you said. I wasn't criticising your post, just pointing out that Kubica can't really afford pride at this stage of his career and he should consider himself lucky that any team is willing to take what is after all a bit of a gamble on him

Apparently it was Kubica stalling on signing the contract, he's basically been offered the drive because of the sponsorship he his bringing to the team, his pride was hurting because he didn't want to be seen as a pay driver, it's something that he has criticised in the past.

he's been given an amazing opportunity to resurrect his F1 career. Frankly, any team looking to take on a driver with his relatively little recent racing experience is taking a massive gamble. You can't blame them for wanting to ensure they get some safety net for it

I think you have misread my post, it was Kubica that was stalling.

No I understood what you said. I wasn't criticising your post, just pointing out that Kubica can't really afford pride at this stage of his career and he should consider himself lucky that any team is willing to take what is after all a bit of a gamble on him

Apparently it was Kubica stalling on signing the contract, he's basically been offered the drive because of the sponsorship he his bringing to the team, his pride was hurting because he didn't want to be seen as a pay driver, it's something that he has criticised in the past.

he's been given an amazing opportunity to resurrect his F1 career. Frankly, any team looking to take on a driver with his relatively little recent racing experience is taking a massive gamble. You can't blame them for wanting to ensure they get some safety net for it

I think you have misread my post, it was Kubica that was stalling.

No I understood what you said. I wasn't criticising your post, just pointing out that Kubica can't really afford pride at this stage of his career and he should consider himself lucky that any team is willing to take what is after all a bit of a gamble on him

Oh so the Williams safety net is receiving money from Kubica?

gives them some mitigation for the risk, sure. They're the ones with the most to lose potentially

he's been given an amazing opportunity to resurrect his F1 career. Frankly, any team looking to take on a driver with his relatively little recent racing experience is taking a massive gamble. You can't blame them for wanting to ensure they get some safety net for it

I think you have misread my post, it was Kubica that was stalling.

No I understood what you said. I wasn't criticising your post, just pointing out that Kubica can't really afford pride at this stage of his career and he should consider himself lucky that any team is willing to take what is after all a bit of a gamble on him

Oh so the Williams safety net is receiving money from Kubica?

gives them some mitigation for the risk, sure. They're the ones with the most to lose potentially